Cap for collapsible tubes



Nov. 17, 1942. T. F. E. FU-CHSLOCI-IIER .3 5

CAP 7 FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed April 15,

1 1 INVENTOR.

THEODOR F.E. FUCHSLOCHER.

I BY 4\ A "5 1 ATTORNEX.

Patented Nov. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAP FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES cago, Ill.

Application April 15, 1940, Serial No. 329,658

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in closures for dispensing tubes and more particularly to closure caps for collapsible tubes of the type generally used to dispense plastic substances such as tooth paste, shaving cream and cosmetic preparations, although certain features thereof may be used with equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of a simple and inexpensive self-closing cap structure that is readily assembled in operative position on the discharge necks of standard dispensing tubes for detachable connection therewith and constitutes an improved automatically operating hermetic sealing unit that is similar in external appearance to the known plastic and metallic screw closure caps as to size and dimensions without any appreciable increase in production cost thereover.

Numerous types of automatic closures for collapsible tubes and the like have heretofore been proposed, but these have either been too expensive in construction to warrant their general adoption or were so designed by necessity or otherwise to expose the internal operating elements to the contents which was found highly undesirable from a self-closing operating standpoint. The internal operating members must be simple and comprise few parts that are uninfiuenced by the deposit of the contents thereon or between the coacting elements which would impede their normal operation and preclude dependable closing over an extended period of use. To the end of eliminating these undesirable characteristics, the coacting elements must be simple in construction and so arranged as to serve their intended function without being hampered or impaired by contact with the contents.

One object of the present invention is to simplify the construction and improve the operation of devices of the character described.

Another object is to provide an improved automatically operating hermetic sealing closure cap for dispensing tubes of the collapsible or pliable type.

Still another object is to provide an improved hermetic sealing closure cap constituting a selfcontained independent unit adaptable for threaded connection to the discharge neck of standard collapsible or pliable dispensing tubes.

A further object is to provide a simple and improved automatic closure unit for dispensing tubes that is responsive to the alternate external application and relaxation of pressure on the contents of the tube.

A still further object is to provide an improved automatic closure cap comprising relatively few parts of simple construction that facilitates the ready assembly thereof with the tube on a mass production scale.

Still a further object is to provide an improved automatic closure unit for a dispensing tube that is capable of being locked against accidental discharge of the contents during the non-use thereof.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a dispensing tube assembled with a closure cap embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the assembled tube and closure cap shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view in elevation taken substantially along lines IIIIII of Figure 1 showing the structural details of the closure cap embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional View of the closure cap taken substantially along lines IVIV of Figures 1 and 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional View in elevation of the external closure cap body embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective View of the valve member of the closure unit.

Figure 7 is a View in elevation of the valve member shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional View taken substantially along lines VIIIVIII of Figure '7.

Figure 9 is a perspective view in elevation of the valve actuating spring member mount for the closure unit.

The structure selected for illustration comprises a closure unit It assembled with a cylindrical content dispensing tube H of the collapsible or pliable type generally used for dispensing semi-liquid pastes and creams such as tooth paste, shaving cream and cosmetic preparations. The collapsible or pliable tube l l is made of suitable flexible metal well known in the art having one end it closed in the usual manner by crimping with the opposite end l3 terminating in a centrally disposed open discharge neck I4 externally threaded as at l5 to receive the correspondingly internally threaded closure unit It as will appear more fully hereinafter.

The tubular discharge neck [4 may be of any size and threads I5 thereon may conform to the type presently used on tooth paste, shaving cream or other popularly used contents marketed in collapsible containers H. In the present embodiment, the closure unit l consists of an internally threaded cylindrical tubular member l6 that is threaded to correspond with and serve as a complement of the external threads E5 on the container neck M for engagement therewith. As shown, the internally threaded cylindrical valve member or sleeve I6 has a smooth exterior surface H and terminates upwardly in a peripheral shoulder !8 which merges in an upstanding cylindrical wall I9 provided with an upwardly inclined valve surface or seat terminating in a flat circular tip 2| positioned axially of the cylindrical sleeve l6 that may be termed a valve member.

In order to permit the passage of the container contents through the valve member It, a plurality of arcuate openings 22 and 23, in this instance, two, are provided in the upstanding wall I9 and extend into the peripheral shoulder IE to provide a groove 24 diametrically therethrough. This arrangemetnt of openings 22-23 extends for a substantial portion of the circumference of the wall l9 So that the desired volume of contents can be extruded therethrough by subjecting the collapsible container H to manual pressure and further rolling the enclosed end l2 in the customary manner to discharge the contents through the tubular neck l4 thereof.

It will be observed that the interior of the upstanding wall l9 and within the inclined valve seat 20 with its fiat tip or head 2|, is chambered to provide a cylindrical concavity 24' to receive the correspondingly shaped coil spring 25 sustained therein. by a flat plate member 26 having a central spring receiving recess 21. The spring confining cavity 24 communicates with the openings 22-23 and the groove 24 through which the plate 26 extends to support the spring in the cavity 24'. The spring mount 23 is shaped to slide within the groove 24 to extend through and beyond the wall I!) to present threaded extremities 28 and 29. It should be noted that the depth of the openings 22-23 defining the communicating groove 24 is substantially greater than the thickness of the spring mounting plate 26 to provide relative axial movement therebetween, and permit the passage of the container contents through the interior of the valve member l6 that communicates with the transversely disposed groove 24.

As a result of the external pressure applied to the container H, the contents will bear against the underside 30 (Figure 4) of the spring mounting plate 26 to depress the spring 25 and permit the contents to pass therearound through the groove 24 underneath and around the spring mounting plate 26. The threaded extremities 28 and 25 of the plate member 26 mesh with complemental threads 3| to form internally in the passage of a tubular cap member 32 to permit relative rotation therebetween. To this end, the cap member 32 is provided with an inner cylindrical wall 33 having a diameter corresponding with the exterior diameter ll of the valve member Hi, these being fitted for relative rotation therebetween and to provide a close fitting enclosure therefor.

Should it be found desirable or necessary to preclude axial separation between the valve member l6 and the cap member 32 after the spring mounting plate 26 threadedly engages the internal thread 3| of the cap 32, an annular groove 34 may be provided in the peripheral wall I! of the valve member 6 proximate to the lower edge 35 thereof for registry with a comparatively wider annular groove 36 similarly positioned in the internal wall 33 of the cap member 32 to receive a split wire ring 31 therebetween for preventing total separation within the dictates of commercial practice. It is to be noted that the annular groove 36 is comparatively wider than the split ring 3'! which is commensurate in size with the annular groove 34 on the valve member i6 since there should be suificient play therebetween to permit corresponding axial displacement of the spring mounting plate 26 within the limits defined by depth of the transverse groove 24.

As shown, the cap member 32 has an exteriorly knurled annular peripheral shoulder 38 to enable the manual finger grasp thereof for imparting convenient rotation thereto as will appear more fully hereinafter. The inner wall 33 extends upwardly for a greater distance than the exterior smooth cylindrical wall I! of the valve member it so as to constitute a complement thereof and permit relative axial displacement therebetween. To this end, the inner top surface 33 of the cap 32 is provided with an upwardly inclined conical seat corresponding to and serving as a complement of the valve member seat 26 so as to present close fitting contacting surfaces to close the content passage openings 22-23 and communicating groove 24 when the valve member l6 and the cap member 32 are in engaging contact between their smooth conical seats 20-411. The conical seat 40 in the cap member 32 terminates in a circular opening 4| that extends axially therethrough to receive the correspondingly shaped valve tip or head 2| of the valve member Hi to serve as a close fitting closure therefor in conjunction with the conical surfaces 23-40 which merge downwardly therefrom.

In order to retain the valve member l5 and the cap member 32 in assembled relation against the urge oi the coil spring 25, th interior cylindrical wall 33 of the cap member 32 terminates in the smaller threaded annular portion 39 that is shaped to receive the threaded extremities 28- 29 of the spring mount 26 against the urge of the compressed spring 25. Asa result, the compressed spring 25 normally imparts an upward urge within the cavity of the valve tip or head 20 so that the inclined and complemental valve seat surfaces Zlllll will be normally in engaging contact to close the openings 22-23-24 in the valve member it and the axial opening 40 in the top of the cap member 32.

It will be apparent, therefore, that the coil spring 25 will normally cause relative axial displacement between the valve body l6 and the valve cap 32 so that these complemental closure members i6-32 with their confronting seats Tit-4t will normally be in contacting engagement to serve as an automatic closure for the discharge orifice in the neck M of the container H. With the position occupied by the coil spring 25, it normally is disposed beneath the valve head or tip 20 and above the content passage openings 22- 23 and communicating groove 24 in the valve member it, the spring 25 being confined between the valve head interior and the mounting plate recess 2 so that it will be compressed responsive to the contents extruded from the container I! for displacement through the groove 24, the openings 22-23 and out of the cap opening 4|.

It will be observed, therefore, that when the contents of the container 4 is expelled in increments by external pressure on the walls of the container H and by rolling its closed edge l2, the contents will tend to pass through the openings 2223' and groove 24 to abut against th underside 36 of the spring plate mount 26 and the cap interior 3!, thereby tending to elevate the latter together with the entire body member 32 from its valve seat 2th against the urge of the spring 25 to provide a passage therebetween (Figure 3).

This separating displacement between the complemental valve member i5 and cap member 32 is afiorded or permitted by the diametrically opposite slots 22 zs 2e that are of greater depth than the thickness of the spring mounting plate 26 to permit this relative displacement therebetween. When the pressure on the container H has been released and relaxed, the coil spring 25 will return the complemental valve member 15 and cap member 32 to their initial closed position with contacting engagement reestablished between the valve seats 2ll4ll, thereby closing the passage openings 22-23--24 and the central discharge opening 40.

So that accidental pressure on the walls of container II will not accidentally extrude the contents while the container II is being carried in a suit-case or otherwise packed for shipment, locking against any permitted separation between the valve member H5 and cap member 32 is efiected by merely rotating the latter in a clockwise direction (viewed from Figure 2) relative to the valve member i 5., This relative rotary displacement is effected with a fractional turn commensurate with the maximum free space between lugs 42- 33 on confronting shoulders in the valve member i6 and cap member 32, respectively. This serves to bring the valve seat 20 tightly against the valve seat 48 in tight frictional engagement owing to the fact that the cooperating threads 23-29 and 3| further engage each other against the cam edges to bring the cap member 32 down against the valve member ii in an extreme position with the spring mount 25 engaging the upper end of the slots 2223 to compress the spring 25 in total confinement within the valve head 2|.

In this extreme position, the valve member l6 and cap member 32 assume a position that precludes any further relative reciprocal movement between the complemental members Iii-32. As a result, there cannot be any separation between the valve seats ZQ-Ml by any further external application of pressure on the container II. To further permit the separation of the valve engaging surfaces 23-48 when desired to continue the normal use of the container II for the discharge of the contents therefrom, all that is necessary is to turn the cap member 32 in a counterclockwise direction (viewed from Figure 2) so as to return the parts to their initial position and provide for relative displacement therebetween within the limits controlled by the depth of the slots 22-43-24 relative to the thickness of the spring mounting plate 25.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that a comparatively simple, dependable and inexpensive closure cap construction of the automatic closing type has been provided with a minimum number of parts and without the normal impairment created by the exposure thereof to the contents of the container H as such are discharged therefrom. The locking feature described supra is also of importance and eliminates the undesirable possibility of leakage when the container l I is not used and accidentally as a pressure externally applied there-' to. It should be appreciated that the presence or absence of an interconnecting split ring 31 between the valve member l6 and the cap member 32 may be substituted by other limiting expedients to serve the same purpose or the complemental closure members I6-32 utilized without any equivalent elements so that they may be purposely separated for cleansing or replacement.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described withcut departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention or any features thereof, and nothing herein shall be construed as limitations of the invention, its concept or structural embodiment as to the Whole or any part thereof, except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a container having a tubular neck defining a discharge orifice, of a pair of complemental closure members associated with said neck to normally close the discharge orifice, said closure members having telescopic cylindrical walls, one of said closure members having an extended valve head with a conical recess thereunder, the other of said members comprising a cap having an annular valve seat to receive said valve head for complemental fitted engagement therebetween, spring means for reciprocally urging said closure members relative to each other, said spring means being coiled for reception in said valve head recess to normally urge one of said members and to permit their relative separating displacement for the discharge of the receptacle contents under pressure, there being diametrically opposed internal openings in a cylindrical wall of said valve member, a plate having threaded extremities engaging one of said closure members to support said spring means against the other of said closure members for maintaining said members in assembled relation for reciprocal and rotary relative movement.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a container having a tubular neck defining a discharge orifice, of a pair of complemental closure members associated with said neck to normally close the discharge orifice, said closure members having telescopic cylindrical walls, one of said closure members having a centrally disposed extended valve head with a conical recess thereunder, the other of said members comprising a cap having an annular valve seat in axial alignment with said discharge orifice to receive said valve head for complemental fitted engagement therebetween, there being a diametrically extending aperture through the said centrally disposed valve head extension, spring means for efiecting reciprocal reaction between said closure members, said spring means being coiled for reception in said valve head recess to normally urge one of said members and to permit their relative separating displacement for the discharge of the receptacle contents under pressure, and a diametrically disposed plate reciprocally mounted in said diametrically mounted aperture, said plate having threaded extremities for engagement with the interior of said valve cap.

In a device of the character described, the combination with a container having a tubular neck defining a discharge orifice, of a pair of complemental closure members to normally close the discharge orifice, said closure members having telescopic cylindrical walls, spring supporting means threadedly connected to one of said closure members and operatively engaging the other of said closure members to effect their rotative locking engagement and permit their reciprocal relative movement responsive to content pressure exerted on said container, and spring means interposed between the other of said closure members and said spring supporting means for reciprocally urging said closure members relative to each other, said spring means serving to normally urge one of said members in closing contact with the other of said members and to permit their relative separating displacement for the discharge of the receptacle contents under pressure.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a container having a tubular neck defining a discharge orifice, of a pair of complemental closure members associated with said neck to normally close the discharge orifice, said closure members having telescopic cylindrical walls, one of said closure members having an extended valve head with a conical recess thereunder, the other of said members comprising a cap having an annular valve seat to receive said valve head for complemental fitted engagement therebetween, spring means for reciprocally urging said closure members relative to each other, said spring means being coiled for reception in said valve head recess to normal- 1y maintain said members in locked association against relative separating displacement and yield to discharge the receptacle contents under pressure, and spring supporting means extending diametrically through one of said closure members for threaded connection to the other of said closure members and permitting their relative rotative and reciprocal locking engagement.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a container having a tubular neck defining a discharge orifice, of a pair of complemental closure members associated with said neck to normally close the discharge orifice, said closure members having telescopic cylindrical walls, one of said closure members having a centrally disposed extended valve head with a conical recess thereunder, the other of said members comprising a cap having an annular valve seat in axial alignment With said discharge orifice to receive said valve head for complemental fitted engagement therebetween, spring means for reciprocally urging said closure members relative to each other, said spring means being coiled for reception in said valve head recess to normally maintain said members in locked association against relative separating displacement and yield to discharge the receptacle contents under pressure, and spring supporting means extending diametrically through one of said closure members for threaded connection to the other of said closure members and permitting their relative rotative and reciprocal locking engagement.

THEODOR F. E. FUCHSLOCHER. 

